Rack for dishwashers



May 19, 1953 w. R. WALKE-R RACK FOR DISHWASHERS Filed Aug. 16., 1948 48 42 R as 34- 1 4 I \i I =-:=:4 I I I J -1 g; 82 -a4 46 4e 66 [NYENTUR ATTURNEY WILLARD RWALKER Patented May 19, 1953 UNITED STATES. OFFICE RAGK FOR DISHWAQHEBQ Willard R. W ng S yracuse, N. l as sig nor tq Easy Washing Machine florporation," Syracuse, N. 36., a-corporaition of Delaware inn ca onitusus 16, 48 Se i No, 4,542

complicated in that the various members do not actively participate inthe support of the various, items as well as lend rigidity and strength to the structure.

Accordingly, an object of the present inventiqn is to provide a rack of the general class setjfqrth embodying simplicity of structure and utilizing so far as possible the various member to both provide rigidity and strength and utility in the forming of pockets and racking facilities for the dishes to he held.

A further object of the invention is to provide a structure comprising relatively simple sub assemblies which may be easily brought together for completion and assembly of the rack.

Still a further object-of the invention (is to provide a rack adapted to hold deep dishes for, ef.. i'icie'nt washing action and in proper relation to the surge of washing fluid of the dish washing apparatus to which the rack is adapted.

The above and other novel features of the inven'tion will appearmore fully hereinafter from the following detailed fi eScription when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. It 'is 'expressly'und'erstood that the drawings are employed for purposes of illustration only and are not designed as a definition of the'l-imits of the invention, reference being had for this purpose to the appended claims.

In the drawings, in whichlike reference characters indicate like parts: s

Figure 1 is a vertical sectional view of the hasket shown in its relative position with respect to im eller type washing apparatus;

Figure '2 is a section taken substantially on the line 'Z--'2 of Figure '1;

Figure '3 is an enlarged view of a silver 'container shown mounted in the neutral portion of the basket of Figure '1; I

Figure 4 is a top plan view of the basket with the wire screen eliminated for sake of clearness;

i ure 5 is an arcua'te section taken substantially "on the line 5.5 of Figure 4; and

Figure 6 is a perspective view .of a small seg; mental basket adapted iorpositionin in the i cul'ar basket as indicated inlFi ure 4.

In Figure 1, there is shown a tubcomprising a m n-norms side wan It with attached bottom f m d, rovide a sub tant ally an la chem nel l2 boundefi exteriorly b y-a conical wall L4.

lO the channel reta ably positioned at in The im l er i rovided ith bl d s t, and ill. whi h ref rably weep d e anew and may wi h re eat 9 one another, and are so pitched as to forcefully direqt w sh flui over the out r an ula w of he tu and the inn 0f. the tu r sp ctively M be eermflw clo ed by a d ri g was n Qner i m mat is. she i m r i de- Ins rpl ncat enfi r al 15 9 5, lled Marc. na a basket r a k i pa ti u r y fle Si ne to c 0 medate ie e ess l u h time k t nd sil er are; a n or.- at he, ish wa n ma hine shows, wil e ilized p ef rably for this urtli rehm s rene ra Prev-med r su ably racking l'iat ishes eh pl tes saucers, platter an the like The basket prefera ly forue i Oi re at ve y t i re and the r tin erel v rtion thereei ompri es. lura t of up: right 2er it av ng a mdi lly' nwa d b i etthe le e eerie th e f e emi s by a bet tom s n i l secured t the ower ends as at i by be ziea ilver selde inawel i e k h upper ends of the uprights 30 are secured to a 40 wi e in 2 and th e is al o p sitiened a W rin 44 asui'tap-le distance belo th r g 42%, o h b n secu ed by ui able means uch as wad n er the lilg to the llpfghts .30. In "the angle ormed. be ween the uw htror en 1 d t e media ly nward se mons, 3-2 ar n ed a Wire it t r termites assesn 3-8 fo m d of int rwoveno wires arranged at right angles to each sing of the order of .four or five a. Such ree is-sew d b e d l razin splinter to the re r n 49 itione e angle s mines the Wire be n w lded therwis se ured t the u h mem lih lli ffi. sub-assembl m et f r e ii v ex endin wir s ii n it eivitle the top of the re l n w lve se s and en in s mo such Wire e l ads a e adapted t orm r, 9 with n Whir lvsr re civiilg i' eer ezi it se Fi ure 3) may be d The es 5 and 48 each have in- 2- ang respectively, and ver tically depending end portions 56 and 58, respectively. It will be observed that the wires 46, with the depending portions 56, are preferably four in number, and extend to substantially the level of the wire meseh 33 and are bound with respect to one another by securing to a wire ring 88. The portions 56 and 58 of the wires 46 and 48 are bound together by a second wire ring 62 disposed a substantial distance above the ring 68. In the knee formed by the portions 52 and 56 of the wires 46 and the portions 54 and 58 of the wires 48, is an exterior wire ring 64 which is suitably secured to the wires 46 and 48 by welding or other suitable means. There is also provided in the knee formed between the radial portions of the wires .46 and 48and end portions 52 and 54, a wire ring 66 likewise suitably Welded or otherwise secured to each of the wires 46 and 48.

It will be noted that the wire ring 64 and the wire ring 44 are arranged substantially on the same level, and intermediate each adjacent pair of wires 46 and 48 or 48 and 48 as the case may be,,there is arranged upon the rings 64 and 44 a pair of wires 61 and 68 forming a V in which the rim of cups or glasses may be held. Such V members serve to torsionally brace the entire assembly. So far as cups are concerned, no further support need be required to hold such cups in angular relation to the horizontal plane and vessels such as glasses are held by positioning .a portion of the rim thereof between such Vs, the up-ended bottom of such vessels resting against one of the wires 46 or 48 (see Figure The silver receptacle 58 comprises a lower substantially cylindrical wall 18, a perforated bottom wall 12 and a flared and perforated upper wall 14. A suitable wire handle 16 is secured to the flared portion of the receptacle and the dimensions of the recepta-cleare such that when in position, the flared portion will engage the wire ring 62. Such receptacle is readily removed from the rack and replaced, and the perforations l6 inthe bottom thereof and 88' in the flared portion thereof are such as to permit substantial flushing of wash water therethrough.

The basket thus described is braced by diagonal wires 82 lying substantially in axial planes, there being utilized preferably in practice four of such wires extending angularly from a relatively low point upon the edge of certain of the upright wires 38, to the respective depending wires 58 at a higher point so as to provide suitable diagonal braces.

Distribution of wash fluid upwardly flushed by the impeller blades l8 and 28 within the silver rack is improved by a deflector ring 84 formed of a band of metal conically formed. The band of metal is supported on the. diagonal braces 82, the latter passing through apertures in the band 84 and being welded or otherwise secured at the point of intersection. The deflector ring 84 is provided with a plurality of radially inwardly directed vanes 86 which tend to deflect the swirling upward movement of wash fluid thrown thereagainst by the impeller blade 28 and assist in directing the same into the silver container 58 through the ports 88 and also around the rim 8| of the silver container so as to impinge upon the exposed ends of silver placed within such container and projecting outwardly above the rim thereof. It will be understood that in practice, silver will be placed within the container with the handles preferably down and in engagement with the bottom, and that the container W be of such depth as to support such silver with the knife blades, fork tines and spoon bowls extending outwardly above the rim 8|, but the apertures in the bottom and flare will provide for a substantial flush of such implements at the base of the various handles as Well.

The rack is provided with a pair of handles 88 and 98 which may be inwardly bent as at 92 to facilitate lifting the basket from the wash tub [8, although the basket is fitted rather closely to the cylindrical wall 18.

In order to hold miscellaneous small items within the basket, such as bar glasses, can openers and small implements or the like, a sector shaped tray, such as is shown in Figure 6, may be provided. Such sector trays may have a plurality of top and bottom trapezoidal shaped wire frames 84 and 86 joined by vertical wires 88 at the corners. Such frame may be provided with additional intermediate wires such as 188 around the radial side walls and arcuate base thereof, and a plurality of radially arranged wires such as H52 and I84 reinforced by a chordal member I86 may be arranged along the bottom to provide a grille of sufficiently fine mesh to support such objects as described. Such basket may be, if desired, covered with mesh screen of, for example, four mesh to the inch, the screen covering the bottom and having sides folded up and joined to the top wire frame member 96. Such segmental tray is so designed in shape as to fit between adjacent Wires 48 or 48 and 46.

In loading the glassware and cups upon the V sides 6! and 68, it will be preferable to incline such cups in a uniform direction progressively around the basket such that wash water impelled upwardly by the blades 18 and 28 will be thrown upwardly into such cups and glasses. The rotational-direction of the impeller with respect to glasses properly arranged is represented by the arrow A in Figures 4 and 5, and as so arranged, the blades [8 and 28 will provide a flush of water upwardly directed and swirling in the direction of the arrow A. As previously explained, the blades l8 and 28 are suitably designed to drive water in an outward annular area and an inward annular area, respectively, so as to cover substantially the entire area above the mesh screen 38.

It will be seen from the foregoing that a rack is provided which is capable of holding deep vessels and small items in a position for advantageous action of the upwardly surging and swirling wash water, and that provision is made for holding all such small items as are usually presented for washing. Supporting such vessels at a sharp angle to the vertical, assists drainage of wash fluid therefrom, there being no pockets that do not drain, or horizontal surfaces to retain wash water, as is evident from a consideration of Figure 5.

While the upright members 38 have been shown slightly displaced angularly from the horizontal members 46 and 48, for sake of illustration and for ease of welding or brazing, without interfering with the previously brazed connections between the upright members 38, and the ring 42, such horizontal members 46 and 48 could be integral extensions of the upright members 38. In any event, such displacement does alter the structure to theextent that the members 38, 46, 52 and 58 and braces 82 form a substantially radial frame, interconnecting and forming a part of inner and outer cylindrical grilles formed by such members and the large circular rings 34, 44 and 4-2, and rings 60,.fi2-,fl. and 65 As shown, the. outer circular grid including upright elements 30 and screen 3% may be formed, the inner grid with the elements 46' 48 formed. and assembled upon the. outer grid, and thereafter the deflector M fixed in position by assembly" of the brace wires 82. I

Thus, it will be seen that thestrnctu-re is readily' assembled and lends itself to mass production and the use of a minimum of jigs. At the same time, a. rigidv wire framework providedwhich be fabricated by the securing methods set forth or such other sm'ethods. as may. be applicable to the material chosen for theia'hrication oitheframe.

Although. a single embodiment of the invention has been illustrated and describedit is to be understood that the invention is not. limited thereto. As various changes in the construction and-arrangement. may be made without departing from the spirit of invention, as will he appartothose skilled. in the art, reference will be had to the appended claims; for a. definition of the limits of the invention.

What is claimed is:

l A dish rack: comprising a plurality of wire frames; radially arranged and lying substantially in radial planes, each of-sa'id frames'being com.- posed, of horizontally disposed elements, periphorally disposed vertical elements, and centrally disposedel'ements defining an aperture to receive. a silver-receiving vessel, and certain of said frames having diagonally disposed brace members lyingsubstantially in the vertical plane of the respective frame, and extending between said circumferentialand central vertical elements, .and a plurality of circular members of large and small diameters lying in spaced planes connecting said peripherally disposed elements and said centrally disposed elements, respectively.

2r, A dish rack. comprising a plurality of wire frames each substantially radially arranged in a radial plane; each of said frames being composed of substantially horizontally disposed elements, peripherally dis-posed vertical elements; centrally disposed elements defining an aperture to receive. silver-receiving vessel, a. plurality of circnl'ar members. of" large and of small diameter connecting said peripherallydispos'ed elements, and said: centrally disposed elements, respectivea. large a small diameter member lying ineach of two spaced. planes; andv' members comecting the large and. diameter members of. the lower plane, the apices of said V members being connected to. one. of lastnamerlllmernbcrs: and the. spaced ends being connected to the other of said last-named members, each of said V-members being disposed between and below adjacent said horizontally'dispo'sed elements.

3. A dish rack comprising. a plurality oi-wire frames radially arranged} eac hoi said frames being composed of horizontally extending elemerits,v peripherally disposed vertically extending elements, centrally disposed elements defining an aperture to receive a silver-receiving. vessel, and. certain thereof having diagonally disposed brace members extending between said circumferential' and central elements. substantially in rzntlial planes, a plurality of. circular members of large and. small diameters connecting, said pieripherally disposed elements, and said centrally disposed elements, respectively,, and a deflector ring mounted upon said brace, members. for directing fluidtovvardsaid aperture.

, of the structure.

- 4:. A i c e rr insa u ali y o w r framesradiallyarranged, each of. said frames beingcomposed other-mentally disposed-elements, peripherally disposed vertical elements the lower ends of. which. substantially in. a common plane, centrally disposed elements defining an aperture to. receive a silver-receiving vessel, certain of said central: elements extending down ivardly to said common plane, a plurality of ci-r 'cnlar members of large and small diameter-conmeeting said peripherally disposed elements and said. centrally disposed elementsrespectively, a large and. small diameter member lying: in each oi, two spaced planes: and V. members connecting the larg and small. diameter members of the. lower. ,plaria,= the apicesof said. V-members being connected to one of, said lastsnamed memhers and. the spaced ends being connected lath other of said last-namedmeinbers.

5.. .A..di.shrack comprisinga plurality wire frames. radially arranged, each of. said frames being composed of horizontally disposed elements peripherally disposed.- vertical elements the lower ends. of which liesubstantially in a common plane, centrally disposed elements. definaperture to. receiveas'ilver-receiving vessel,,.certain of said-central elements extendin downwardly to said. common plane, and-diagonally disposed brace. members extendi v between said 'circumferentialsend said certain central vertical. elements. substantially in radial. .nl'anes,v a plurality of circular members. of large and small diameter connecting said. peripherally disposed elements and said centrally disposed element's, p ct ely, and clefi'ectormeansjmounted upon a d b ac m m s fo dir tin fluid inwardly 6'. A dish raclg comprising a plurality of wire f a e radia y a ran d; e h of said r m being composed of horizontally disposed elements, peripherally disposed vertical. elements the lower ends of which lie substantially ina common plane, centrally disposed. elements defining. an aperture t receive a s lvere e v n ve s ls e a s d central elements extending downwardly tos'aid common plane, and. diagonally disposed, brace members;- extending between said circinnf'erential and said certain central vertical elements substantially in radial planes, a, plurality of circular members of. large and small diameter connectin peripherally disposed elementsahd said centrally disposed elementsarespectively, and a. plu rality of. V racking membersdisposed intermediate, said horizontal members. and therebel'ow and interconnecting. one each oilsaid large and .small circular members atthree point'sand acting to torsionally brace theradk. r

7. .A. dish. rack comprising. a. plurality of wire frames, radially arranged, each of said frames being composedoi horizontally disposedelement's, peripherally disposed vertical elements the lower ends of which lie substantially in. a common plane, centrally disposed elements defining. an aperture to. receive a silver-receiving. vessel. certain of saidcentralelements extending. downwardly to said common planeand diagonally dis.- posed brace. members. extending between said circumfierential, and; said. certain central vertical elements. substantially in radial planes, a. plurality oi circular -members of, large and-small diameter connecting. said. peripherally disposed elements and said centrally disposedelemen-ts; respectively;

a. plurality. of V members radially disposed inter.

mediate said horizontal. members; and therebelow am em sn i s e e t said; lessened small circular members at three points, and-acting to torsionally brace the rack, and annular deflector means supported beneath said V members.

8. In a dish rack, a plurality of frames lying substantially in radial planes each comprising a top horizontal member, a depending peripheral member, and a depending central member, having the upper portion thereof inclined, said top horizontal members lying in one plane, circular members of small and large diameter lying in spaced horizontal planes connecting said central and peripheral vertical members, respectively, diagonal braces connecting said central and peripheral members, and a plurality of V members secured at their apices to one of said small diameter circular members lying in a lower plane, and at their open ends to one of said large diameter circular members lying in the last-named plane, said V-members being located in a plane beneath the plane of said top horizontal members and positioned angularly intermediate adjacent top horizontal members. 9. In a dish rack, a plurality of frames lying substantially in radial planes each comprising a top horizontal member, a depending peripheral member, and a depending central member having the upper portion thereof inclined, circular members of small and large diameter lying in horizontal planes connecting said central and peripheral vertical members, respectively, diagonal braces connecting said central and peripheral members, and a plurality of V members secured at their apices to one of said small diameter circular members, and at their open ends to one of said, large diameter circular members, said V members lying substantially in a horizontal plane disposed below and between adjacent said horizontal members, and bearing such angular relation thereto as to support elongated vessels by the rim thereof in inclined relation to a horizontal pl ne with the body of said vessels resting on an adjacent horizontal member.

10. In a dish rack, a plurality of frames lying substantially in radial planes each comprising a top horizontal member, a depending peripheral member. and a depending central member, having the upper portion thereof inclined, circular members of small and large diameter lying in horizontal planes connecting said central and peripheral vertical members, respectively, said central members defining a silver container receptacle, diagonal braces connecting said central and peripheral members, an annular deflector supported on said braces surrounding and in spaced relation to said depending central members, and a plurality of V members secured attheir apices to one of said small diameter circuliar members, and at their open ends to one of said large diameter circular members, said V members lying substantially in a horizontal plane disposed below and angularly displaced from adjacent horizontal members, and bearing such angular relation thereto as to support elongated vessels by the rim thereof in inclined relation to a horizontal plane with the body of said vessels resting on an adjacent horizontal member.

11. In a dish rack, a plurality of frames lying substantially in radial planes each comprising a top horizontal member, a depending peripheral member, and a depending central member, having the upper portion thereof inclined, circular members of small and large diameter lying in horizontal planes connecting said central and peripheral vertical members, respectively, said central members defining a silver container receptacle,

diagonal braces connecting said central and peripheral members, deflector means including circular and radial vanes surrounding said receptacle and supported on said braces, and a plurality of V members secured at their apices to one of said small diameter circular members, and at their open ends to one of said large diameter circular members, said V members lying substantially in a horizontal plane disposed below and angularly displaced from adjacent horizontal members, and bearing such angular relation thereto as to support elongated vessels by the rim thereof in inclined relation with vessels resting on an adjacent horizontal member.

12. In a dish rack, a plurality of frames lying substantially in radial planes each comprising a top horizontal member, a depending peripheral member, and a depending central member, having the upper portion thereof inclined, circular members of small and large diameter lying in spaced horizontal planes connecting said central and peripheral vertical members, respectively, diagonal braces connecting said central and pe ripheral members, and a plurality of V members secured at their apices to one of said small diameter circular members, and at their open ends to one of said large diameter circular members, said V members lying substantially in a horizontal plane disposed below and between adjacent said horizontal members, and bearing such angular relation thereto as to define a sector shape receptacle bounded at the top by adjacent horizontal wires and intermediate segments of the uppermost of said small and large diameter circular elements and having a bottom composed of the respective intermediate V members.

13. A cylindrical outer grid, an inner grid, the lower portion of which is cylindrical and the upper portion of which is conical, and horizontal radial connecting members therebetween in an upper plane, V members extending between and secured three points to said grids in a lower plane each V-member being disposed intermediate adjacent radial connecting members of the upper plane, and a screen extending across the bottom of said outer grid and secured thereto.

14. A cylindrical outer grid, an inner grid, the lower portion of which is cylindrical and the upper portion of which is conical, and horizontal radial connecting members therebetween'in one plane, V members extending between and secured at three points to said grids in a lower plane, and members interconnecting said inner and outer grids and extending radially and angularly with respect to said plane.

WILLARD R. WALKER.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,292,497 McCain Jan. 28, 1919 1,426,931 Walker Aug. 22, 1922 1,457,240 Welsh May 29, 1923 1,481,115 Anthony Jan. 15, 1924 1,564,028 Smith Dec. 1, 1925 1,722,272 Buck et a1 July 30, 1929 1,777,058 Walker Sept. 30, 1930 2,001,328 Kehoe May 14, 1935 2,032,156 Stoddard Feb. 25, 1936 2,136,259 Walker Nov. 8, 1938 2,257,436 Walker Sept. 30, 1941 2,468,584 Wotring Apr. 26, 1949 2,469,966 Idle May 10, 1949 

